Blogging

Publisher1

I started on blogger when we had problems with our websites and went through a year long process to get them into a state where they could be 'live' (but are far from state-of-the-art) and haven't found a need or urge to merge the blogger site with our main sites (we simply hyperlink off to the blog). I suppose there are advantages in integrating the blog within your site, or at least on your own domain. Can't be sure if there would be advantages in making these changes, but as far as I can tell, it doesn't matter much in terms of credibility or effectiveness. The blogger software is certainly easy to manage and update.
In any case, the old marketing argument that you are always best to be first in the niche, more than the 'best', applies here. When you blog, as you do anything in your marketing, make sure you are first within your defined niche.

Mike Finley

If the only reason to use a 3rd party website is ease of use, I'm probably going to look into getting the software loaded on my site. I pesonally would always rather promote my own website in the search engines and in relevancy before some one elses.


A quick search shows a lot of software you can use to run a blog off your own website.
For the last 10 years I have always run everything off my own site, I used to run banner ad software, classified software, shoping cart software and all kinds of stuff off our sites. I'll look into it, this can't be anything different then what I've done in the past.

Duane1982

my website is really a wordpress blog. I think it's worth looking into and people comment on my site all the time.

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http://www.pooleconstruction.net

thefencepost

I first started blogging a year ago on a free wordpress.com site and quickly found that I enjoyed it.
I have since done hours and hours of research on the subject and my business has benefited from the SEO I gain from it. Currently, the ONLY marketing is my websites (both of which are wordpress sites). I had my main website professionally designed, and have dabbled with the design of my second one myself. The best part is there are numerous free "themes" out there to choose from, and if you do your research you can figure out how to modify them.
My site (I am a fence contractor) around 3000 views a month, not too bad for a site that concentrates on local services (Raleigh NC).
Another BIG point: make your blog have value to the reader! Don't just promote (you have to promote, but also give the readers something that grabs their attention) but write things that will get readers to return. And remember, more traffic coming to your site means your page will rank better on the searches.

http://raleighfencecontractors.com/blog
http://fenceadvice.com/blog (newly redesigned sight that I am experementing with the design)

Best of luck!

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Keith R. Bloemendaal
Raleigh Fence Contractors, LLC
Fence Advice

MattCoops

As long as you have basic working knowledge of html you can blog without software. You just have to "post" your own content by means of ftp. Wordpress and a billion other sites just take the hassles out of writing hypertext markup.

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Matt with Cupan Custom Tile & Paint of Lowell, Massachusetts
Design and installation of ceramic tile and natural stone for floor, wall, and countertops
(978) 601-8774 | cupantile@gmail.com | view tile pictures and more

RidgeWalker

The Google loves blogs because Google loves FRESH Content. If you have a blog utilize the Google's love for content and post articles about your industry or local events. Put main companies url link on the blog and as Google spiders your blog and starts to give it page rank it will pass on some of that page rank to the sites linked to the blog.

The power of comments! You can make comments on blogs that have high page rank and usually your allowed to link to your domain in your comment. After some time you can build up a nice number of back links that Google will love you for!

The Power of Referrals. Think of Links as a referral from a client who has sent some one your way to do business with you. This is how Google looks at it.

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Restore My Home Construction
Atlanta Roofing Repair
My SN Profile

thefencepost

Don't count on getting much juice from commenting on blogs with your url, most of them are "no follow" so the backlink doesn't count in google's eyes. But if you blog, write good content that will catch someones attention and maybe they will write about you and link to your article (called a "deep link") now that will get the google love rolling your way!

All in all, commenting on other blogs should be used because you have something to add to the conversation, most won't even let your comment go through if it looks like you are just looking for a link. Add something to the conversation and people will click on your link.

Just my findings from much research on the subject!

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Keith R. Bloemendaal
Raleigh Fence Contractors, LLC
Fence Advice

RidgeWalker

Yeah I did forget to mention to make sure you comment on blogs that are not using no follow. This is usually what major authority sites do. And I guess it went without saying to contribute to the conversation by adding a comment with value, but I guess you have to spell things out for people these days. = )

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Restore My Home Construction
Atlanta Roofing Repair
My SN Profile

UnitedMA

We are trying different avenues of blogging. Some of our sales guys are blogging on their own, and we as a company are starting to blog as well. Homeowners can gets lots of helpful information from blogging without feeling like they are being bombarded with sales pitches.

Mobuilder

1. Keep it informal
2. Write "how-to" and other posts that readers will be searching for, and enjoy. (Stay away from promotional posts, and give them something for free)
3. Do it regularly - if not, readers won't keep coming back
4. Most blogs don't begin to pay off until you reach 50-100 posts, don't get discouraged early
5. Network with other bloggers via blogroll exchanges, etc.
6. Join BlogCatalog & network there
7. Submit your posts to social bookmarking sites (Digg, StumbleUpon, etc.)
8. Check out some "How to write better posts" articles (example, many more by googling)

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Mobuilder.com - The Construction Materials Marketplace
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6 Signs the Construction Industry is on the Rebound

silvertree

I have 2 blogs and am starting a 3rd called Remodel Crazy.com.
I bought the domain name when I decided we need a real crazt remodel site.

Its a lot of work, it gets you good and bad reviews.
Its fun and full filling at times.

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Vote for Pedro
Kitchen, bath, St Paul remodeling
Minneapolis Remodel Blog
203K Loan Consultant Minnesota

Carport King

If you would like a great place to learn how to do a blog right and learn a lot more check out www.becomeablogger.com and watch the 10 free video's Yaro has there. Fantastic lessons for newbies.

I have been writing for 1 year now on my blog and enjoy it. I have several sites on my blog roll and you can build traffic for your business. You can put video and audio and photos which I get most of mine off www.flickr.com or I use my own.

I have done some screens shot web critiques for contractors but mainly I just try to bring content that contractors can use everyday. I also do articles about the things that happen at my work everyday.

I believe everyone should be blogging. Check me out www.contractorblabblog.com

UnitedMA

We've also been told by people who know a lot about search engines that blog posts get picked up faster and better by Google and the other search engines, although it takes a ridiculous amount of time. Sometimes I think the time is better spent networking or keeping in touch with past customers. At least those leads will be warmer and probably lead to better business.

http://www.unitedhomeexperts.com